Tag: Carter Quinn

Fire & Rain by Carter Quinn

91dfykKbxCL._SL1500_Title: Fire & Rain
Author: Carter Quinn
Series: Kansas, #2 (The sequel to The Way Back)
Genre: Contemporary/Interracial Romance
Length: Novel (205 pages)
Publisher: Carter Quinn books (January 27th 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Blurb: Eric Walker has learned hard lessons from his past. He’s no longer the alcoholic husband hiding in the closet. He’s no longer the guy who tried to steal his brother’s boyfriend. He has two items on his agenda: fix his relationship with his brother, Jason, and find his own soul mate. But when it comes to relationships, Eric’s track record looks more like a train wreck. He craves intimacy almost as much as he fears reverting to his old ways.

Johnny Osborne has watched Eric mature over the last year and a half and has fallen in love with him in the process. He’s tried being patient, but it’s gotten him nowhere. No matter how many disastrous blind dates Johnny sets Eric up on, Eric seems determined to consider everyone but the man who’s been right in front of him all along.

Eric and Johnny aren’t the only ones struggling with their emotions. After his apartment burns down, their coworker, Travis, can’t choose between the guy he’s been crushing on for months and the guy he’s afraid to love. He seems determined to re-enact every blunder of Eric’s past.

Will Travis learn from Eric’s mistakes before the man who loves him walks away for good? Will Eric ever see that best friends make the best lovers?

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Rain-Kansas-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00RQUHNFM

Reviewer: Tams

Review: Eric Walker didn’t make the greatest impression on readers in the first book in this series, The Way Back, as the man who would steal his brother’s boyfriend all in an effort to “find himself.” I didn’t start this book having the highest expectations for the character, and straight away, you learn that his love interest at the end of that story, Mitch, has left him. I was like, well score one for Karma! But then Eric had to go and make himself relatable, loveable and attainable, he had to go and redeem himself.

Eric is now managing the gay bar Mo’s and has become a father figure of sorts to some of the younger employees there. Friend, co-worker and star of the show, Queen Johnny, keeps setting Eric up on the most hysterically disastrous blind dates. And Eric is clueless, he just keeps putting up a minimal fight, then caving and going on the dates. Until the night, he shows up and it’s Johnny on the other side of the booth. Suddenly Eric sees Johnny in a new light. He realizes that it’s been Johnny all along.

But if it’s Johnny then Eric has finally found happiness and the minute Eric lets himself be happy, lets his guard down, and assumes his emotions, his heart is safe, he gets hurt. So he damn near breaks the foundation of the relationship before it’s even solidified in an effort to get ahead of being hurt. If Eric admits how he feels about Johnny, then he has to admit to the failures of his past, and that might be more than our newfound hero is capable of.

Eric is like a flame, he burns hot and fast and his emotions are explosive. Johnny is like Rain, a steady flowing current that grounds Eric and shows him he deserves to be loved. The two sort of balance each other out. I am always amazed when an author can take a character that is hated or loathed entirely and make them do a complete 180, make them someone you are now rooting for. That is exactly what Quinn has done with Eric.

One of my favorite parts of this story was the conversation Eric had with his brother Jason when he finally swallowed his pride and approached Jason, asking for that forgiveness.
Oh but the fiery passion that Eric and Johnny share was a strong element to this story as well.

Eric has to let go of this notion he has of a the perfect soul mate, he has to get over Riley and Mitch and his ex-wife and the feeling that he has been wronged in some way before he can finally see Johnny through the eyes Johnny deserves to be loved through. And Johnny’s ever-present strength, even in the face of Eric’s denial and while always impeccable dressed and sporting 5-inch heels, well it was impressive.

Detailed, descriptive and precise with three-dimensional, flawed characters and strong secondary characters to add depth to the story. Fire and Rain is a must read if you are a fan of hard-fought happy ever afters. And if you, like me, absolutely loathed Eric after reading The Way Back, then you have to at least give him a chance at redemption by reading this follow-up novel.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

The Way Back by Carter Quinn

711QKscC9sL._SL1350_Title: The Way Back, 2nd edition
Series: Kansas, #1
Author: Carter Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel (268 pages)
Publisher: Carter Quinn books (January 22nd, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: In his freshman year of college, Riley Evans met the best friends he ever thought he’d have, Jason and Eric. When his friendship with Eric turned into something much more, it ended as suddenly as it began, leaving Riley devastated. He hasn’t let anyone near his heart since. Until now. When Riley needed him most, Jason was there to help pick up the pieces. Six years later, he’s back in Riley’s life.

Riley is slowly letting Jason past his defenses and is starting to accept how good they are together. They’re even planning their first romantic weekend getaway when, out of the blue, Eric calls, claiming he wants Riley back. Riley has been pining for Eric for six years, but now he has a brand new relationship with Jason to consider.

Jason—who has always been there when Riley needs him, who puts Riley’s happiness above his own, even if that means his own heart will suffer—insists Riley face his old feelings for Eric to make sure they’re really gone. But are they? How long will it take Riley to figure it out? And how long will Jason wait?

Second Edition (+4000 more words)
Kansas Book #1

Bonus Short Story:
The Way Back Together
(+6000 words)

Riley and Jason have carved out a weekend together to plan their upcoming event, but those plans take a backseat when Eric shows up on their doorstep an emotional wreck
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Way-Back-Kansas-Carter-Quinn-ebook/dp/B00HZD8CG4/ref=la_B008JGF9NU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396668785&sr=1-1
Review: I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I laughed while I cried… this book is just a complete plethora of emotion.

Riley Evans has finally found happiness with his long time friend, Jason. It was a long road travelled to get to where they are. Six years ago Riley was in love with Jason’s brother, Eric. In denial about not only himself, but his feelings for Riley as well, Eric broke something inside Riley when he left and married a women. Jason has only just come back into Riley’s life and is helping him rebuild his broken heart when Eric calls out of the blue, telling Riley he wants him back.

I was thankful that Riley didn’t try to hide anything from Jason, he was open and honest with him from the start. Riley isn’t quite ready to give Eric that second chance at his recently mended heart, but he’s spent the last six years wondering what if? Jason knows that if Riley doesn’t deal with the situation he will always wonder, so he makes Riley promise to meet his brother and then decide if he wants to give him a second chance.

My heart broke slap in half as Jason had to watch his brother court the man he loved. Jason had already buried his feelings for Riley once for the sake of his brother and what he thought Riley wanted. Now he has to know definitively if Riley loves him, his brother, or the shadow of the man Riley thinks Eric is. Has Riley found the man he needs with Jason? Or is this second chance with Eric opening the door for them to finally be together? Or is Riley so screwed up that he ends up pushing both men away, destined to be alone and miserable?

I will tell you that you will get your HEA. I just can’t tell you who exactly gets that HEA. I loved the author’s ability to make the reader actually feel what the characters were feeling throughout the story. Definitely an emotionally wrought, passionate and intense read, with a lot of ups and downs. Riley grows so much throughout the story, and I loved his character development. He was flawed but real and unsure of himself, what he felt. But once he figures out who he is, therefore exactly who he’s meant to be with, he will stop at nothing to attain his goal.

Must read for fans of the genre, but I’d recommend this one to those hard-core romantic readers as well. There is some hot as hell guy action, let me tell you! The “bareback” scene is my absolute favorite. But the lunchtime scene is a close second. Quinn managed to keep the story light with a bit of humor, like Riley’s best friends husband (I did not need that visual!) and some quirky anecdotes (helium!) as well.

*UPDATE* I’ve recently read the second edition of this story, and I tell you it is just as good as the first! Quinn didn’t take anything out per say, just elaborated on a few things here and there. In my initial review I didn’t talk much about Jason, so I will now.
Jason has loved Riley since they were in high school, but he stepped aside when Riley chose his brother Eric. The result left both Jason and Riley heartbroken in the end, but as fate would have it, they found their way back to each other. Riley is hesitant to get too attached to Jason, he doesn’t want to get his heart broken again. But Jason slowly works his way into Riley’s heart, and just when it looks like they are going to get that second chance at love, Eric calls. “I still love you, I made a mistake, and I want you back.” Now most people would tell Eric to go piss up a rope! But Riley spent a long time loving Eric, and he has always wondered what if.

Jason knows that if he doesn’t allow Riley a little time to find out for himself, once and for all, that Eric is not the man for him that Riley will always wonder. So as much as it pains him, he pushes Riley toward Eric. It doesn’t take long for Riley to FINALLY realize he doesn’t love Eric, he loves Jason. But a trust has been broken now and Riley’s only chance to be happy will be if he can show Jason the way back to him.

I devoured this book just as I did the first time around. Quinn seriously captured the pain and anguish Jason felt that morning in the kitchen, I mean even having already read this story and knowing it was coming, I was a blubbering mess all over again. The love that Jason and Riley share just jumps out at you. This book has drama, a teensy bit of angst, heartbreak and most of all love. Sexy, steamy, passionate LOVE! Spot on character development the blends perfectly with the writing. This is a must read! And look for Eric’s story coming soon from Carter Quinn books, Not just friction fiction.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Out of Blackness by Carter Quinn

Web_CQ_Out_of_the_blackness-682x1024Title:  Out of Blackness

Series:  N/A

Author:  Carter Quinn

Genre:  LGBT fiction, a bit of M/M romance with a history of abuse.

Length:  Novel (361 pages)

Publisher:  Carter Quinn Books (July 9th 2013)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   A childhood of abuse has left Avery so physically and emotionally scarred he believes he shouldn’t be alive. His only sanctuary has been his relationship with his older foster brother Sam. Avery finally lets Sam convince him to start therapy to help overcome his crippling anxiety, but even that can’t prepare him for the upheaval caused by meeting Noah Yates.

Noah is everything Avery fears. He’s large and physically powerful—and undeniably capable of destroying Avery’s hard-earned progress. Although Noah seems to have a tender streak when it comes to him, Avery is terrified of being victimized again. But no matter how many times he tries to push him away, Noah never goes far.

Noah wants to save Avery, but can he be the catalyst Avery needs to begin the journey out of the blackness?

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUPVNNK?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DUPVNNK&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Reviewer:   Tams

Review:  Overall, this was a fantastic book. It’s mentally exhausting and an emotional roller coaster ride, but the characters and content keep the reader focused on the bigger picture that Quinn is trying to convey within this book.

Avery has been mentally, physically, and emotionally abused by everyone in his life that mattered. His father died when he was very young leaving him with his mother who constantly reminded him that he was just a botched abortion. His stepfather and step brothers beat him almost daily while belittling and beguiling him along the way. After his mother uses the ill-fated and short-lived firehouse rule to drop him off at a local firehouse he was placed in a group home. Although the abuse was far from over, his life definitely took a turn for the better when he met another young orphan, Sam.

Sam is Avery’s best friend, confident and big brother. Not relations by blood, but bound together by circumstance, these two young men defy traditional barriers of family and make a life that works, for the most part. The straight policeman is comfortable in his role as the protective big brother, but Avery has a feeling that one day Sam will leave him. Enter Noah. Noah is tall, blonde, and broodingly handsome. He first meets Avery in the alley between their places of employment. Avery is obviously leery and downright freaked out as Noah is the poster boy for everything Avery fears. But Noah is immediately smitten with the shy, standoffish young man he meets in the alley.

As the book progresses we learn more of Avery’s back story and the extent of the abuse he’s suffered. We also get to watch Noah court Avery and the slow, gradual process of building trust, falling in love and ultimately proving to Avery that he’s not going to hurt him. That he’s in it to win it!

The content of this book might be difficult for some readers but the writing is stellar. Quinn does a fantastic job of transporting the reader into Avery’s world, so that you feel every emotion along the way. And the usual meaning of the phrase ‘In the Closet’ doesn’t apply in this book. Avery’s closest is more of a sanctuary and has absolutely nothing to do with his sexuality, but I do like the presence of the metaphor and the twist Quinn used for the terminology.

I loved this book, but as far as recommending it… it’s difficult to determine who would or wouldn’t like it. You will be emotionally spent, as the content is detailed and tormented. There isn’t really sex to speak of, but there is a LOT of kissing and a jack off scene that will blow your mind! The story of Avery as he relives his nightmares faces his demons and ultimately falls in love with Noah was breath-taking. As difficult as it is to read Avery’s memories, it’s as equally satisfying to watch him and Noah build their relationship, find trust, and fall deeply in love.